THE CONCEPT OF PRATIBHAJÑĀNA IN NYĀYA-VAIŚEṢIKA AND POETICS

Abstract

The concept of Pratibhā occupies a significant yet often understated place in Indian philosophical thought. Emerging as a unique doctrine explaining the origins of super-sensuous knowledge, Pratibhā is understood as an innate or acquired faculty that transcends the limitations of ordinary perception and reasoning. The present paper undertakes a comprehensive examination of the doctrine of Pratibhā, particularly focusing on its acceptance and treatment within the Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika systems of Indian philosophy. While these systems primarily emphasize realism and empirical knowledge, they nonetheless recognize the necessity of an extraordinary cognitive faculty to explain certain dimensions of human experience that surpass the reach of the senses and intellect.The current study examines the Indian philosophical theory of Pratibha and how the Nyāya and Vaiśeṣika schools have embraced it. An attempt has been made in this work to clarify this viewpoint in order to eliminate some of the difficulties that may arise throughout the understanding process. This is naturally followed by some evaluation observations. in the poetics tradition, prātibha is associated with the concept of dhvani (suggestion), where the poet’s intuitive understanding transcends the literal meaning of words, creating layers of meaning that resonate emotionally and intellectually with the audience. Thus, prātibhajñāna is essential for the poet's ability Moreover to create nuanced and powerful expressions of human experience. Prātibhajñāna in Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika philosophy refers to a rare and spontaneous form of knowledge, while in poetics, it represents the intuitive insight that enables artistic creativity. Both systems acknowledge its significance, though they interpret its role differently.